SUPPORTERS of community hospitals in South Somerset have said it would be ‘terrible’ if beds were to close under new proposals being discussed.

At a meeting last Wednesday, the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), decided to review plans on how community hospitals – including those at Chard, Crewkerne and South Petherton – are run.

The GP-led group is responsible for the planning and funding of local health services.

They say that no community hospitals would shut but a total of 40 beds across the county’s 13 community hospitals could go.

They are also proposing one of three models for each facility:

  • “Step-up” community hospitals beds – these would provide 24-hour care for people who don’t require serious medical treatment and could also see enhanced inpatient and outpatient services.

 

  •  “Step-down” community ospitals beds – providing care for people who have been discharged from a district hospital such as Yeovil, but who still need hospital based rehabilitation and nursing care. These hospitals will keep the services they already have but would not get enhanced services.

 

  • “Health and Wellbeing centres” – community hospitals which would offer a wide range of clinics and services but there would be no inpatient beds.

Currently, 57 beds across the 13 hospitals are temporarily closed due to recruitment problems, and the CCG want them to remain temporarily closed.

The CCG is also proposingspecialist services for stroke and neuro-rehabilitation could be moved to just one hospital.

Betty Vercoe, from the League of Friends of Chard Hospital, said: “The hospital is used by a lot by people, especially the minor injuries unit, so it would be terrible for the community if Chard were to lose out on beds.

“But it would be great if the outpatient services were enhanced because the hospital is so widely used.”

Helen Chaloner, from the South Petherton League of Friends, said it was difficult to say what would happen as the CCG has yet to come up with specific arrangements.

She added: “South Petherton Hospital is a much-valued community resource, and we’re hopeful all the beds will be reopened soon.

"If more beds close,it would be terrible but, at the moment, we have no reason to think that.

“I’m hopeful we’ll keep the stroke unit as well; it’s new and the League of Friends have been funding for a research nurse once a week here at the stroke unit, so there’s no reason for us to lose that.”

Dr Matthew Dolman, chairman of Somerset CCG, said: “The model of community health care we are proposing to be developed over the next five years needs to support the growing numbers of elderly and long-term ill so they can live well in their own home for as long as possible – which is what patients say they want.

“Such a model of service must be sustainable and depends upon close collaboration between family doctors, district and community hospitals, social care services and the voluntary sector.

“While a significant percentage of patients currently using community hospital beds in Somerset could be better supported in their own home or community, the right services need to be in place for this to happen.”

The proposals would not come into effect for at least another four years and plans for each hospital are not yet known.

Next steps in the CCG community review:

  •  CCG discuss the implementation of the review with local stakeholders over the next six months.
  • Members of the CCG’s Governing Body approve the second phase of the “Making the Most of Community Services” review.
  • CCG members also recommended the use of the recently established Local Implementation Groups to consider how the proposed service model could be implemented most effectively within their areas. This work will be carried out between December 2014 and July 2015.
  •  A Business Case and Implementation Plan will be prepared and presented to CCG’s Governing Body following the outcome of the next stage.
  • Patients, carers and the public will be formally consulted on the proposals from July 2015 to October 2015, with a final recommendation taken to CCG’s Governing Body by November 2015.
  • Copies of the Second Stage Somerset CCG’s community services review known as “Making the Most of Community Services” is available from the CCG’s web site at: www.somersetccg.nhs.uk or on request from the CCG’s Yeovil Headquarters.